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Three best-buys to curl the wine-lover’s toes

The Spinelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and the Deakin Shiraz are a pair of food-friendly reds that each set you back less than $10.

Megalomaniac Local Squeeze White $13.95 (Niagara)
Our totally fun wine of the day and new to General List. Lovely aromas of peach and pear with a floral hint of rose petals. The flavours unveil aromatic yellow apple and cling peach. An absolutely charming local white and fab for wine and cheese parties.
LCBO #357418
Food suggestion: Cajun shrimp.
Rating: 89+

Spinelli Quartana 2012 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo $7.70 (Italy)
A new vintage of this ever popular favourite is consistent with former vintages but still very young. The aromas show pomegranate and plum, with flavours of black cherry and plum. This red has good depth for the price. Let breathe to quell the acidity.
LCBO #454629
Food suggestion: Beef manicotti.
Rating: 87+

The Spinelli is a new vintage of a very popular red and the price is about as low as the LCBO allows. Did you know they will not sell wines below $6? They want to keep their profit margins up. No “Two-Buck Chuck” will ever darken our doors!

The Deakin Shiraz is an amazing value and the new vintage, 2012, is consistent with former vintages and gorgeously mellow on the palate. Very food friendly, from spaghetti bolognese to roast lamb.

The Local Squeeze Megalomaniac bears the usual cheeky label, here a dude with his squeeze. It is the latest creation from talented Niagara winemaker Sue-Ann Staff, who not only does John Howard’s Megalomaniac wines, but now has opened her own winery on her family’s heritage homestead.

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